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Production, decomposition and nutrient contents of litter in subtropical broadleaved forest surpass those in coniferous forest, Meghalaya

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Abstract

Litter plays a crucial role in forest ecosystem functioning as its production and decomposition govern the pools and fluxes of forest nutrient cycling. The release of nutrients through litterfall and decomposition influences forest productivity. Therefore, these two factors are considered to be important indicators of forest ecosystem health. Such processes vary across different ecosystem types because of natural as well as anthropogenic factors. Hence, studying such processes would help in better understanding and management of forest ecosystems. Litter production and decomposition rates between a broadleaved and a coniferous forest ecosystem of Meghalaya in Northeast India were compared. We selected six subtropical broadleaved forest stands in Muthlong, Ialong, Nongbah, Mukhla, Nongkrem and Mawnai, and six adjacent coniferous forest stands dominated by pine. We estimated leaf litter production, decomposition and nutrient release, and analyzed the nitrogen and phosphorus contents in the litter of both the forest types. The study revealed that litter production and decomposition rates, and the litter nitrogen and phosphorous contents were significantly higher in the broadleaved forest compared to the pine forest. The variability in the litter characteristics was greater in the broadleaved forest compared to the coniferous forest indicating that the former is functionally more dynamic than the latter. Such dynamism in the broadleaved forest could be an important factor for providing greater ecological services compared to the coniferous forest, which nevertheless requires an in-depth study.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MoEF & CC), Government of India for providing financial assistance under the All India Coordinated Project on Sacred grove ecosystem services of Meghalaya. The first author is also grateful to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs for providing financial assistance in the form of a National Fellowship for the Scheduled Tribes (NFST, File: F1-17.1/2016-17/NFST-2015-17-ST-MEG-2987). The authors also thank the Coordinator of CAS, Department of Botany, and Head, Department of Botany, NEHU, Shillong for the facilities created under the Centre for Advanced Studies (CAS) in Botany program, which were utilized for this research. Thanks are also due to the Raij, Lyngdoh and Dolloi in charge of the respective six sacred forests for granting permission to carry out the research work in the forests under their jurisdiction.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Advanced Studies in Botany, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, 793022, India

    I. M. Nonghuloo, S. Kharbhih, B. R. Suchiang, D. Adhikari & S. K. Barik

  2. Department of Basic Sciences and Social Sciences, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, 793022, India

    K. Upadhaya

  3. CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow, 226001, India

    S. K. Barik

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  1. I. M. Nonghuloo
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  2. S. Kharbhih
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Correspondence to S. K. Barik.

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Nonghuloo, I.M., Kharbhih, S., Suchiang, B.R. et al. Production, decomposition and nutrient contents of litter in subtropical broadleaved forest surpass those in coniferous forest, Meghalaya. Trop Ecol 61, 5–12 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42965-020-00065-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42965-020-00065-x

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